The air conditioner is an indispensable part of any household, especially during the summer months. In Florida, summer days can be excruciatingly hot, and the humidity can be intolerable. If your air conditioner is not working the way it should, it is important to have it repaired or replaced immediately. Not only is living in the heat uncomfortable, but an inefficient AC can be expensive to run and maintain—and a hot, humid home can also be dangerous to your health.

If you live in our part of the state, a reliable, professional St. Petersburg air conditioning services provider can assess your non-functional AC and provide an estimate for you to either have it fixed or replaced. While buying a new air conditioner can be expensive, it’s important to determine whether this is the more effective option compared to repairing it temporarily. Repairs may cost less upfront; however, repairing a unit that is actually in need of replacement can wind up being more expensive on a long-term basis than actually buying a new one. 

Air Zero is a trusted St. Petersburg AC maintenance, repair, and replacement company that’s dedicated to providing thorough inspections of air conditioning systems for our customers. Our AC experts offer valuable advice for homeowners wondering which option is the most economical choice for their household—and can evaluate your AC unit issues to help you make the smartest decision. In this article, we will discuss when to replace instead of repair—to help you make the smartest investment choice you can make to enhance your home.

Replace Your AC If It’s More Than 15 Years Old

According to the National Association of Home Builders, the average lifespan of air conditioning units is 10 to 15 years. If your air conditioning unit is older than this average, and you’ve noticed that it is failing a bit more often than usual, maybe it’s time to consider having it replaced with an updated one that will run more efficiently.An AC unit that’s past it’s prime isn’t just making your home more uncomfortable to live in. It’s also likely to be costing you a fortune in utility bills every month. Replacing it with a modern, more efficient unit can mean lowered utility bills, better energy-efficiency, and a valuable investment that enhances the cost of your entire home.

Cost of Repair is Too High

If the cost of repairs seems too high, make sure to check with one or two more air conditioning companies to compare their rates. If it still seems high, it might make more sense to replace it than to fix it. To quickly calculate the cost-efficiency of repairing your unit, here’s the usual rule of thumb for homeowners stuck in this dilemma. Multiply the cost of repairing your air conditioner by the age of your old AC unit in years. If the product is more than the cost of the air conditioning unit that you intend to buy, it is better to have it replaced than repaired. Conversely, if the product is less than the cost, then it is better to have it repaired.

Air Conditioners Running on R-22 Refrigerant

Older air conditioning units run on R-22 refrigerant, while newer systems use R-410a refrigerant. Compared to R-22, R-410a is more eco-friendly and will replace R-22 entirely as it is currently being phased out of US homes. Aside from the price increase for R-22 refrigerant, it is better to switch to models using R-410a now before the other totally becomes unavailable in the market.

Replace if You Notice Rising Energy Bills

If your energy bills are rising steadily, it might be time to look at the consumption of your air conditioning unit. Modern AC units with an Energy Star seal are not only more environmentally friendly but are also more cost-effective in the long run because they run more efficiently and consume less electricity.

Just like other appliances, the efficiency of air conditioners deteriorates over time. If you feel that your AC unit can’t keep up to your increasing needs, is wasting energy and causing higher bills every month, and does not cool the room enough compared to before, maybe it’s time to consider buying a new one.

The Most Reliable St. Petersburg Air Conditioning Services Provider

Since 2008, Air Zero provides the most reliable St. Petersburg AC maintenance, repair, and replacement services across the whole Sunshine State. Because we are dedicated to providing the highest level of customer satisfaction, we have been accredited with an A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau and have earned other awards and accolades in the industry. 

From emergency repairs to scheduled AC tune-ups, we are the most trusted service provider in the St. Petersburg area. If you want to learn more about how we can help you repair or replace your AC unit—or for a free, no-obligation pricing estimate and evaluation for both options, contact Air Zero today or fill out this form for an in-home estimate.